The theory of phrase

2. Typology of Phrases

There are various classifications of phrases by different Russian and Western linguists.

Russian Classifications

Linguist(s)	Classification
L.S. Barkhudarov	Classification is based on the structure of phrases: Elementary – if there is only 1 type of syntactic relation between its constituents Compound – if there’s more than 1 type of syntactic connection between its constituents
V.V. Burlakova	Phrases are divided into Kernel, Non-kernel and Unipicked phrases. Kernel phrases – one element dominating all the other constituents. The kernel – is the element within the group whose syntactic function can’t be identified at the level of analysis in terms of sentence-parts. Kernel phrases are divided into regressive and progressive. In regressive kernel structures an agent stands in preposition to the kernel (ex. So quickly. So – a kernel, quickly – a head). In progressive kernel structures – the agent stands in postposition to the kernel (ex. A girl of 16. A girl – a kernel). Non-kernel phrases – are traditionally coordinate phrases, when there isn’t any component of the phrase, whose syntactic phrases we can’t define. Are divided into: Dependent (can’t be identified as grammatical units without any context. (ex. soft sweet sensible)) and Independent (when syntactic functions of grammatical units can be defined without any additional context (ex. Ladies and gentlemen!). Unipicked phrases – only one component can establish syntactic relations with the elements of a higher level (noun, adjectival, verb).